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Cut the Rope gallery

What parents need to know

Ease of play

The game's physics are smooth and realistic, but a fair amount of motor control can be required for some of the trickier puzzles - including using multi-touch to cut more than one rope at the same time.

Violence & scariness

Not applicable

Sexy stuff

Not applicable

Language

Not applicable

Consumerism

There's a link on the main menu to download more games from the same publisher.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Not applicable

Privacy & safety

Some privacy concerns. Users can opt in to Crystal, an interactive network, which allows users to upload real avatar photos, connect with Facebook friends or Twitter followers, and view game leaderboards and achievements.

Can be unsafe. If users opt in to Crystal they can choose to share their personal information - including location.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Cut the Rope is a charming physics-based puzzle game featuring a cute green monster named "Om Nom." Players must cut dangling ropes that hold candy so that it falls into the monster's mouth, while collecting as many bonus stars as possible. There are 100 levels so far, with more promised in future updates to the app. The iPhone version is $.99, whereas the iPad version, called Cut the Rope HD, features higher definition graphics and costs $1.99. Our review is based on the iPhone app; the Android app may have some differences in functionality.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Science

gravity

motion

physics

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

logic

prediction

solving puzzles

Engagement, Approach, Support

Engagement

Highly engaging, to the point of being addictive. Easy to keep trying for just one more level, or one more star. Nice clean design also makes for a good experience.

Learning Approach

Games are mostly about fun. But, kids must use trial and error and exercise creative, critical thinking to solve puzzles. They can also superficially – it is 2-D after all – explore some physics (motion, gravity, floating, etc.)

Support

Play is easy, even if the best solution isn't always. Levels include a quick instruction, though if kids have trouble, there's little help. Kids may find help in the extensive fan community, but there are no off screen learning components.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Science

gravity

motion

physics

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

logic

prediction

solving puzzles

Kids can learn about basic concepts of physics, gravity, motion, and force in Cut the Rope. During gameplay, they strategically cut ropes tethered to a piece of candy with the goal of depositing the candy into the monster's open mouth while collecting as many bonus stars as possible. There's always more than one way to complete a level, and kids are encouraged to experiment until they find the solution that earns them the most stars. Physics and fun blend together in a format that encourages discovery through hands-on play.

User reviews

Parents say

Kids say

What's it about?

Kids swipe the screen with their finger to cut dangling ropes that hold candy so that it falls into the mouth of Om Nom, the cute monster that stars in the app. Gameplay requires precision and occasionally quick reflexes -- especially since new challenges like balloons, blowers, spikes, and electrical currents are quickly added to the basic rope-cutting formula. Challenges become progressively harder as the levels progress.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

CUT THE ROPE is a puzzle game that requires precision and occasionally quick reflexes - especially since new challenges like balloons, blowers, spikes and electrical currents are quickly added to the basic rope-cutting formula. Yet, the game still has a broad appeal. Casual players can concentrate on simply getting the candy into Om Nom's mouth, while more ambitious players can try to collect all the stars as well. Om Nom is one of the more adorable videogame mascots to come along in a while, too!

Families can talk about...

Connect gameplay to the physics of everyday life, such as the effects of gravity on heavy items vs. floating objects such as bubbles.

Conduct real-life experiments using objects of different weights connected to string and observe how motion affects them.

About our buy links

When you use our links to make a purchase, Common Sense Media earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes. As a nonprofit organization, these funds help us continue providing independent, ad-free services for educators, families, and kids while the price you pay remains the same. Thank you for your support.Read more

About Our Rating System

The age displayed for each title is the minimum one for which it's developmentally appropriate. We recently updated all of our reviews to show only this age, rather than the multi-color "slider." Get more information about our ratings.

Great for players who don't get frustrated easily

I really love this game and me and my friends who own iPhones spend hours play this addictive, fun game. The content is 100% clean and I don't see any opportunities for parents to find this inappropriate. But when getting farther in the game you will be very close to winning a level and then fail to succed, and me, as a thirteen year old boy, I still got a little frustrated with this game. But beside a few levels, this game is very fun and I highly suggest you purchase this, I mean, it's only 99 cents!

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